Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has declared an agricultural emergency as wildfires continue to impact producers across the Texas Panhandle and surrounding areas of West Texas. The declaration comes as state officials and agricultural groups work to respond to mounting losses from multiple fires that have scorched tens of thousands of acres.
As of 9 a.m. on Feb. 20, more than 32,000 acres had burned across the region, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Among the largest active incidents are the Lavender Fire, which has burned over 18,000 acres and is reported to be 50% contained, and the 8 Ball Fire in Armstrong County, which has burned more than 13,000 acres and is approximately 70% contained.
The emergency declaration, issued on Feb. 18, is intended to mobilize financial support and logistical assistance for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses facing wildfire-related losses. Miller urged those affected to seek help through available programs and called on Texans to support recovery efforts through donations and community assistance.
Texas officials have emphasized the role of the State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund, which is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The fund, supported by private donations, provides financial assistance for rebuilding and other recovery needs following natural disasters.
“One thing about Texas, we’re very resilient, and we help our neighbors, so it’s not hard to raise money to help people,” Miller said during a press conference in Amarillo. “Now, we don’t take any out of the [STAR] fund for our expenses. We get 100% of that back out. During the Smokehouse Creek Fire and other fires, we paid out every claim that was applied for, and we actually took a little over $100,000 in paper freight to get hay delivered.”
Alongside financial relief, state officials are highlighting practical support services designed to meet immediate needs in affected agricultural communities. The Hay and Feed Hotline is currently active and provides a free service connecting hay suppliers with producers who have lost grazing land or stored feed.
“If you need hay, contact us, and we’ll get it delivered right now,” Miller said. “The need for hay in Texas is not much—which is a tremendous need in Oklahoma right now, where there’s plenty of grazing—we have low cattle numbers. So, what we need here in Texas is mainly barbed wire, T-posts, and fencing material that has been destroyed.”
Damage to fencing and infrastructure has emerged as a major concern for producers in the wildfire zones, as destroyed enclosures can leave livestock vulnerable even after flames are extinguished. Rebuilding fencing is often among the first steps required to restore normal operations.
In addition to in-state recovery efforts, agricultural groups are also coordinating regional support. The Texas Rancher Navy, a volunteer-led initiative that assists with agricultural disaster relief, has been working to move hay supplies beyond Texas’ borders to neighboring states facing similar wildfire challenges.
In a written statement, the group noted ongoing efforts to transport aid northward: “Right now, our neighbors in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas are facing the crisis, devastating wildfires, and wiped out pastures, destroyed fences, left livestock with nothing to eat. Thanks for the incredible generosity of producers here in Hood County and Erath County. We’ve already mobilized over 2,000 round bales of hay. This isn’t just a donation for these ranching families. It’s a lifeline, but we cannot move this hay alone.”
State officials have also pointed to the emotional and mental strain that disasters can place on agricultural communities. The AgriStress mental health support hotline remains available to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers during and after the wildfire response.
“We’ve had that up running three years, and it’s hard to document, but we absolutely can say that we’ve saved 300 lives,” Miller said. “And this hotline will also get them local mental health help. Farmers and ranchers are just a proud, proud bunch. They, you know, stay out in the field or milking parlor and don’t interact with the community much, and they’re just self-reliant, and it’s hard to get them to call. So we think we crack that nut by reaching out to the grandchildren and children, getting them to call in.”
As containment efforts continue, officials say recovery will likely extend well beyond extinguishing the fires themselves. The combination of infrastructure loss, grazing damage, and supply disruptions may affect agricultural operations for months.
